Finding Images for Inspiration

A great bedroom inspiration from House to Home.

How about a traditional hallway?

Are you after a modern home office?

Or a rustic kitchen?

One thing that is important for a client to have when they meet their designer is images to show what they love, what they aspire to for the proposed design work. I know that I have occasionally tried to work with a client who hasn't shown me any images/ideas and it hasn't work as we'll be visualising completely different concepts. It's essential that the designer and client are on the same page - so in saying that, here is a great website with lots of inspirational images for you to choose from. It's called House to Home and it is a photo library/gallery of seven UK magazines - including Living Etc and Homes and Gardens. So if you're after some visual inspiration, check this out. There is every style possible in kitchens, bathrooms, living rooms, bedrooms, hallways, home offices and the list goes on.
Photographs via House to Home.

Inspiration - La Bastide de Marie

La Bastide dde Marie Hotel in Menerbes, France

One of my new clients is inspired by the French Farmhouse and she would like to create a modern and eclectic version of this for her home. Researching French Provence-style farmhouse, I came across this hotel via Habitually Chic.

La Bastide de Marie is a hotel in a 18th Century building based in Menerbes, Provence. Surrounded by vineyards and beautiful gardens, I have taken some of the interior influences to inspire this project. Read Habitually Chic's posting on it here and see the Vogue shoot that had actress Marion Collitard posing in this very hotel.

Photographs via Habitually Chic.

Inspiration - Chocolate Brown Squares

From India Hicks 'Island Life'

Brown and white square flooring

Mosaic tiles from Bisazza

After looking at India Hick's interiors last week, I had been admiring the chocolate and white pattern on her chairs. Surprisingly I came across the similar pattern as flooring. Wondering if I could do this pattern with tiles, I found the Bisazza example. It's rather effective, isn't it? I wonder if my client will like this idea...

Inspiration - India Hicks' Island life

I started another new job last week and this particular client is inspired by India Hicks' Island Life.
A great society beauty, India Hicks is the grand-daughter of British icon, Lord Mountbatten and daughter of design icon, the late David Hicks - so clearly British tradition and design is in the blood.
India and her family are based in the Caribbean and it is her homes and other interiors that this book is based on. The interiors demostrate a combination of the Caribbean's informality and simplicity along with the classic British good taste. I think it works well.
Photographs from Island Life.

Inspiration - Home Bar

By Tori Mellot for Domino

By Steven Gambrel.

By Deborah Neddleman for Lonny.

By Thom Filicia for House Beautiful.

One of my clients has some empty shelves in her formal Dining Room and she is uncertain how to fill them. So I did some research on 'bars' - the essential things that you need for one so that the empty shelves could have a function and look good at the same time.
The images above came via Heather Clawson from Habitually Chic. She had herself gone through this process as she had noted the popularity to have a trolley/mini bar available for when your friends come around. Anyone for a drink?
Photographs via Habitually Chic.

Inspiration - Wall Shelving

'Branch' look shelf brackets

Salvaged Vintage Kitchen shelf

I was looking for some wall shelving ideas for a boy's bedroom and I couldn't help but save these two cool images for my own inspiration.

Photographs via Remodelista.

Inspiration - Ace Hotel, NYC.

Entrance.

Lobby.

Lifts.

One of the bigger rooms.

Bunk Room.

Bathrooms.

I was talking with a friend in the weekend and we got on to the subject where one would stay in NYC. I immediately said Ace Hotel. It has popped up on my radar numerous times and it looks like an interesting place to stay.
In the heart of Manhattan, Ace Hotel has 262 rooms and they say that they have the best rates in town  (which is saying something for New York!). Designed by Roman and Williams, there is a range of room options - Bunk, Cheap, Small, Medium, Large and Loft - something for everyone. Described as 'Funky Grandpa', Ace hotel definitely has that vintage and industrial appeal with a slight rock'n'roll edge to the place.
Photographs via remodelista.

Inspiration - High Road House, London

High Road House, Chiswick, West London

Restaurant

Shaker inspired bedrooms - 14 rooms in total

Downstairs bar (wonder if ladies in heels trip over those rugs?)

I was doing some visual research for some new clients of mine and I came across this project.

This is High Road House in Chiswick, West London. Part of the Soho House brand, Ilse Crawford from Studio Ilse was the designer for this hotel and private memebers club. As usual, she pulls off her traditional and modern combinations, homely and snug but still commercial enough, clever lighting, muted and bold colour pairings and cool furniture pieces. It just always seems to work.

Note to me - must visit when in London.

Photographs from High Road website.

Inspiration - Black doors

There's something classic and British about the glossy black front door. I am doing up my place next year and I'm keen to do this on my front doors - not that my house looks at all like 10 Downing Street as seen above.